Galatians 4:10
“You observe days and months and seasons and years.”
Paul is giving an example of how their faith was being corrupted. What was wrong with their actions? A couple verses earlier he says that they were being enslaved to things that they had been delivered from. They were reverting back to keeping the law to obtain favor with God.
Coming to God is different in the New Testament. Ephesians 2:8,9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
If we don't have this right, the Lord will bring it to our attention. We all have some beliefs that need correcting. This letter is one of correction. We might hear corrections in a sermon, read them in the bible, hear them from another person or through a thought or impression. Walking with the Lord includes many course corrections.
Our human nature fights against this doctrine. We want to have some part in redemption. To think that it's a free gift goes against our individualism. However, we have no part in salvation. God did it all. We just have to believe and receive it.
In the New Testament times, the judaizers were people who went around and attempted to get christians to adopt keeping the law along with faith to be right with God. These may have been the same ones who corrupted the galatians. Observing days and months and seasons was part of keeping the law. To do this is not to treat salvation as a gift, but something that's earned.
Salvation came at a great cost. Jesus had to come and die for us. Romans 6:10 says, "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God." That death secured our salvation. There is nothing we could have done to add to it.
Salvation is a free gift. This comes as a surprise, as we were not in good terms with God. Romans 5:10 says, "For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." A greater contrast is hard to draw. The Lord seeks to make peace with enemies with a great gesture, His Son's life.
It was mentioned at the start that Paul refers to them being enslaved to the law. The same was true of us. We may not have been enslaved to the law, but to other things. That is true due to the nature of sin. Jesus says in John 8:34, 'Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin."' That slave state is deeply engrained in our hearts. That's why we want to work for salvation, we know deep down we have a debt.
In time we begin to understand that favor with God truly is free. It's like a scared animal beginning to trust. Our hearts crave this. Like a flower unfolding in the light and warmth of the sun, our hearts open to Him. There is no greater therapy. Walls of doubt break down, we gain the courage to look up and know we are loved. The guilt lessens. As we reflexively think of God, we no longer want to hide, but to turn to Him.
Walking with Christ in a trusting way is the purpose of our creation. The Lord wanted a people who love and trust Him. Adam and Eve had that for a while. Jesus' sacrifice was meant to restore the relationship. The Lord patiently waits for us to turn to Him. When we do there is a great alignment. This is what life was meant to be.
Our trust brings great joy to the Lord. It's like the prodigal son coming home. The father runs to greet him. Jesus says in Luke 15:7, "I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."
Lord, thank You for the free gift. The warmth of Your love is so freeing. Thank You for Jesus and His great sacrifice. Thank You for Your patience. You've waited so long. You're a great God.